Waxman wants hearing on Redskins

California Rep. Henry Waxman is the latest lawmaker to weigh in on the controversy surrounding the Washington Redskins team name, asking to bring the issue before a House panel hearing.

“Offensive remarks by Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association, have raised public awareness of racism in sports,” Waxman, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Energy Commerce, wrote in a letter Friday to Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.).

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“In the case of the Washington football team, the offensive conduct is public, not private. But it is being condoned and defended by [the] National Football League,” Waxman wrote.

“[The committee] could play a constructive role in challenging racism by asking Mr. Snyder and Mr. Goodell to explain in a public hearing how their actions are consistent with the public interest,” Waxman wrote.

A committee spokesperson said a hearing is not planned on this specific issue.